Wry neck

[Ladyville]

I have a 7 yr old Buckeye named Ethel. I feel pretty confident with info I have gathered and video I've seen that she has wry neck. For yrs she's intermittently dropped or raised and shook her head while taking a few steps backwards.

Now she is mostly "stargazing" and head shaking and she cannot keep her balance, stumbles backwards. Otherwise she is fine. Eats, drinks, pecks and grooms a little. For 2 w, I've had her isolated and warm. Feeding scrambled eggs with vitamin E and spinach, keeping her pellets and water available.

No progress in her symptoms. I know there can be many causes and I'll probably never know for sure, but when she was young she was dive bombed by a hawk. No known physical injury at the time but she went into shock for a few days, initially not able to stand and walk.

Regardless, at this point, things cannot continue like this. Any ideas? Don't even know how to let her go peacefully, if that's the end game. I'm not a farmer.

 

[Turkens13]

I'm really sorry to hear about Ethel's condition. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to support her, but I understand how tough it must be to see her struggling.

Wry neck can have many potential causes, including injuries (like the hawk attack you mentioned), neurological issues, infections, or even vitamin deficiencies. While it's great you're supplementing her diet with vitamin E and spinach (which can help with nerve damage), some other potential treatments could include giving her vitamin B1 (thiamine), as deficiencies can sometimes lead to symptoms like the ones you're describing. You might also want to try a stronger selenium supplement if you haven't already, as it's sometimes used to help with wry neck.

Since she’s not improving, and you’ve tried supportive care for a couple of weeks, if you feel her quality of life is diminishing, it may be time to think about her comfort and peace. If you're uncertain, it might be worth contacting a vet who has experience with chickens or birds in general. They can guide you in assessing whether her condition is treatable or if euthanasia is the kindest option.

Euthanizing a pet, especially when it comes to a beloved animal like Ethel, can be an incredibly difficult decision. If you reach the point where you're considering this, the best thing would be to ensure that it’s done humanely and gently, usually through injection by a veterinarian. If that’s not an option, there are other more humane methods, but I’d strongly recommend talking to a vet about this when the time feels right.

Let me know if you'd like me to suggest more options or if you'd like to talk more about this process. I'm here for you.

 

[Turkens13]

If you’re seeking more tips to help Ethel, here are a few things you might try in addition to what you've already been doing:

1. Increase Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Thiamine deficiency can cause neurological symptoms like wry neck. You can try supplementing her with thiamine either through a water-soluble form or thiamine-rich foods like brewer’s yeast or nutritional yeast. This might help with her balance issues and head-shaking.
2. Selenium and Vitamin E: Since you're already using vitamin E, you might want to check the selenium levels too. Both work together to support nerve function. Some poultry supplements specifically formulated for wry neck or neurological issues might combine these two in a more targeted dose.
3. Soft, Clean Bedding: Since she’s having difficulty balancing and stumbling, providing soft bedding in her isolated space will help reduce the risk of injury from falls. A nice, deep layer of straw, shredded paper, or other safe bedding can make a big difference in her comfort.
4. Hydration: Ensure she’s getting enough water. Sometimes, birds with neurological issues can have difficulty drinking, so you might want to try a waterer with a nipple or something that will make it easier for her to drink without too much effort. Adding electrolytes to her water could also help support her overall health.
5. Easing Stress: Since Ethel has been through a lot, minimizing stress is key. Keep her environment calm, with minimal loud noises or movement around her, and be sure she’s getting plenty of quiet time to rest.
6. Physical Support: Gently supporting her neck when she’s eating or drinking can help her maintain balance while she’s weak. You could even try making a small support harness or collar that will stabilize her head and neck to reduce strain.
7. Monitor for Other Illnesses: If there's no progress after a couple more weeks, it’s worth keeping an eye out for any signs of infection or other issues, like respiratory problems or lethargy, which might indicate a secondary illness that could be addressed with antibiotics.
8. Consulting a Veterinarian: If you haven't already, I highly recommend consulting a vet, even if it's just for a phone or virtual consultation. They may have more specific suggestions based on her condition, and if necessary, they can guide you on pain relief or humane euthanasia options when the time comes.

I hope these tips help.

 

[Ladyville]

I'm really sorry to hear about Ethel's condition. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to support her, but I understand how tough it must be to see her struggling.

Wry neck can have many potential causes, including injuries (like the hawk attack you mentioned), neurological issues, infections, or even vitamin deficiencies. While it's great you're supplementing her diet with vitamin E and spinach (which can help with nerve damage), some other potential treatments could include giving her vitamin B1 (thiamine), as deficiencies can sometimes lead to symptoms like the ones you're describing. You might also want to try a stronger selenium supplement if you haven't already, as it's sometimes used to help with wry neck.

Since she’s not improving, and you’ve tried supportive care for a couple of weeks, if you feel her quality of life is diminishing, it may be time to think about her comfort and peace. If you're uncertain, it might be worth contacting a vet who has experience with chickens or birds in general. They can guide you in assessing whether her condition is treatable or if euthanasia is the kindest option.

Euthanizing a pet, especially when it comes to a beloved animal like Ethel, can be an incredibly difficult decision. If you reach the point where you're considering this, the best thing would be to ensure that it’s done humanely and gently, usually through injection by a veterinarian. If that’s not an option, there are other more humane methods, but I’d strongly recommend talking to a vet about this when the time feels right.

Let me know if you'd like me to suggest more options or if you'd like to talk more about this process. I'm here for you.

Thanks. I have managed to get her about 4 doses of a quarter of a human B complex vitamin. I'll try to be more regular with that.

 

[Ladyville]

Thank you. The nutritional yeast is a great tip, hopefully she will like it on her eggs. And I'll look into a selenium/E supplement. Maybe that would be a better balance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 7 yr old Buckeye named Ethel. I feel pretty confident with info I have gathered and video I've seen that she has wry neck. For yrs she's intermittently dropped or raised and shook her head while taking a few steps backwards.

Now she is mostly "stargazing" and head shaking and she cannot keep her balance, stumbles backwards. Otherwise she is fine. Eats, drinks, pecks and grooms a little. For 2 w, I've had her isolated and warm. Feeding scrambled eggs with vitamin E and spinach, keeping her pellets and water available.

No progress in her symptoms. I know there can be many causes and I'll probably never know for sure, but when she was young she was dive bombed by a hawk. No known physical injury at the time but she went into shock for a few days, initially not able to stand and walk.

Regardless, at this point, things cannot continue like this. Any ideas? Don't even know how to let her go peacefully, if that's the end game. I'm not a farmer.

How much Vitamin E are you giving her?

I'd give 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-Complex daily along with a small amount of Egg to help with the uptake of E. Egg has sufficient Selenium so don't bother with finding a Selenium supplement, you risk overdoing it.
Put the vitamin pills/caps directly into her beak one at a time and let her swallow this way you know she's getting the vitamins every day.

Cut out the Spinach and encourage her to eat her normal nutritionally balanced feed.

With her age, she may be in decline and won't improve, but hopefully by offering supportive care she can make a turn around.

Do check her for lice/mites, make sure her crop is emptying overnight. If you have a way to get a fecal float to see if she needs deworming, that would be a good idea.

Wry Neck is a Neurological Symptom, so this could just be part of the aging process.

 

[Debbie292d]

2X what Wyorp said. I've dealt with this with silkies a couple of times.

I give Vit E, human dose, twice a day feed a little scrambled eggs afterward to help the E absorb.

I also give 1/4 of a human B-Complex once per day. (I have liquid, so it's easier to measure.)

7 years old is a pretty good age for a chicken as if this doesn't help, it might just be her time.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you. The nutritional yeast is a great tip, hopefully she will like it on her eggs. And I'll look into a selenium/E supplement. Maybe that would be a better balance.

Just some scrambled eggs provides enough selenium.